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Welcome to Texas Plumbing Careers
We are on a mission to solve the labor shortage in the industry by developing the next generation of professionals and creating strong career paths.
The School
The plumbing industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage, creating a demand for new training and apprenticeship programs to tackle this issue. In response, the Texas Plumbing Careers Institute (TPC) was established as a nonprofit organization dedicated to recruiting and training new plumbers. The goal is to prepare them for promising careers with companies throughout San Antonio.
Our Approach
Texas Plumbing Careers Institute (TPC) is a new kind of plumbing school, built around a hands-on six-week crash course in plumbing systems. After training and licensing we help place apprentices in great jobs with local companies.
Who We Serve
TPC offers young people in San Antonio a path to a rewarding career in the plumbing industry. Through a comprehensive training program that focuses on practical hands-on experience, students are jump-started into their careers. TPC’s strong connections with local employers and suppliers provide graduates with job placement assistance. Giving new apprentices the foundational training they need helps them create more value for their employer, increases their earning potential and makes it more likely they will stay in the industry.
Traction
Shawn Murray and the TPC team have spent nearly to two years testing and improving their training program and innovative training facility.
2023 / launch the school internally
Shawn Murray opened the facility and began training apprentices and offered continued learning for licensed plumbers and contractors. They innovated new ways to teach core plumbing systems and certify plumbers on new products.
2024 / Opened the school to other companies
After providing training to over 30 plumbers they launched the school. They saw the benefit of their unique approach to plumbing education and decided to launch TPC to help address the plumber shortage and empower more young people into promising careers in the industry.
Alternatives
Traditionally apprentices have three primary pathways into a career in plumbing.
Trade Schools
Trade schools offer a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training. Upon completion, graduates receive a certification or diploma. Trade schools usually charge at least $2,000 and students are not paid during training.
No School
Apprentices are hired by a plumbing company usually with no prior experience or training. They are paid about $13 an hour and spend two years working under a licensed plumber. The quality of this kind of training varies widely, depending on who they worked under.
Company Schools
Some companies have internal plumbing training schools to provide new apprentices with company-specific education. This tailored approach builds consistency around the company's operational standards. This type of training rarely covers all core plumbing systems.
How it works
Find qualified young people.
TPC works to find motivated young people who are a good fit for a career in plumbing.
Train Them.
Using a state-of-the-art facility and training program, we equip apprentices to accelerate their careers.
Help them get a great job.
TPC leverages industry relationships to place graduates in top-tier apprenticeships with the best pay.
